Author |
Message |
jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee
Post Number: 4615 Registered: 6-2002
| Posted on Tuesday, August 11, 2015 - 3:50 pm: | |
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Alembic-Distillate-Custom-4-String-Bass-with-Factory-Bigsby-Star-Inlays-/151776388105?hash=item235693e409
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moongerm
Advanced Member Username: moongerm
Post Number: 252 Registered: 8-2013
| Posted on Wednesday, August 12, 2015 - 4:40 am: | |
Pretty cool! Love those Bigsby's |
edwardofhuncote
Senior Member Username: edwardofhuncote
Post Number: 505 Registered: 6-2014
| Posted on Wednesday, August 12, 2015 - 5:18 am: | |
Pretty wood too! We've seen this one before... I remember the custom body shape. It's a shame someone routed out for those EMG's. Fixable, but still... FWIW, it's the same seller with that beautiful Spoiler with the convertible fingerboards. http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=151762982718&alt=web |
sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus
Post Number: 4425 Registered: 5-2009
| Posted on Wednesday, August 12, 2015 - 6:38 am: | |
The Spoiler I would do, but not that Bigsby Axe . I could see getting and sending the Spoiler to the " Mothership " for a new lined fretless fingerboard with hard finish treatment. . |
jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee
Post Number: 4617 Registered: 6-2002
| Posted on Wednesday, August 12, 2015 - 8:44 am: | |
That distillate would be good as a tenor bass. |
plb445
New Username: plb445
Post Number: 3 Registered: 7-2015
| Posted on Wednesday, August 12, 2015 - 5:42 pm: | |
I have been wondering about the Spoiler for a while. I sent an email to Alembic to get a ball park price on a new fret board, but I didn't get a response. |
mica
Moderator Username: mica
Post Number: 8602 Registered: 6-2000
| Posted on Wednesday, August 12, 2015 - 6:48 pm: | |
I can tell you that it will be pretty much impossible to quote for a new fingerboard without having the bass in hand - I'm certain this was modified after we built it, and so I don't have a frame of reference for the work. |
edwardofhuncote
Senior Member Username: edwardofhuncote
Post Number: 508 Registered: 6-2014
| Posted on Wednesday, August 12, 2015 - 7:04 pm: | |
Found it... here's the last thread we had on this Bigsby-equipped Distillate. It seems to have appreciated some. =) http://alembic.com/club/messages/395/207826.html?1427463114 |
flpete1uw
Senior Member Username: flpete1uw
Post Number: 531 Registered: 11-2011
| Posted on Wednesday, August 12, 2015 - 7:15 pm: | |
HA!! I knew it looked familiar! |
sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus
Post Number: 4426 Registered: 5-2009
| Posted on Wednesday, August 12, 2015 - 7:20 pm: | |
Thanks , and there we have it . Yikes , (again ). I still cannot understand why someone installed those pickups . I can forgive that Bigsby , but why the pickups ? |
sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus
Post Number: 4427 Registered: 5-2009
| Posted on Wednesday, August 12, 2015 - 7:30 pm: | |
Thanks , and there we have it . Yikes , (again ). I still cannot understand why someone installed those pickups . I can forgive that Bigsby , but why the pickups ? |
edwardofhuncote
Senior Member Username: edwardofhuncote
Post Number: 515 Registered: 6-2014
| Posted on Thursday, August 13, 2015 - 8:44 am: | |
In the pictures (and kudos for extreme detailed pics) it doesn't look like the Bigsby was a retrofit. I don't see an extra set of holes for a bird tailpiece... and indeed it does *say* the tremolo is "factory". Since this was obviously someone's custom, it seems plausible. I wouldn't personally have any use for a tremolo either, (it'd be super-funny to watch that!) but as Jazzyvee pointed out, this would be a perfect candidate for a tenor or piccolo bass. The bigger issue for me would be justifying the $3k price tag knowing what work it'll take to replace those EMG's and leave the bass looking somewhat aesthetically presentable. I'm a sentimental sap, and having been on the receiving end of the harsh realities of life and economic circumstances, I just hate seeing someone's custom Alembic up on the block. Hopefully this one eventually finds a good home. |
sonofa_lembic
Member Username: sonofa_lembic
Post Number: 89 Registered: 5-2014
| Posted on Friday, August 14, 2015 - 2:46 pm: | |
I would love to do the restoration on this bass. Unfortunately, it was originally a one pickup model, and most likely a piccolo bass to start out. I would end up having to add a second pickup, and the circuit would have to be modified for the second pickup. The top and back are walnut. At $3K, the price tag is way too much a for a butchered Distillate, but if he cuts that by at least a third, it may be worth saving. It has plenty of dings dents and worming, so a lot of elbow grease has to go into the restoration, but it would be a fun project. |